(Pocket Ribbon) – We love good old fashioned console warfare, which is great because it seems like we’re permanently in the middle of it, with Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo all constantly holding the horns on the market.
The Nintendo Switch has been out for a long time, although the OLED model is newer and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have also been at the helm of their respective console lineups for a few years now, so if you’re in the market for new hardware, you may be wondering which one is best for you. Here are all the details and comparisons you need to know.
Performance
How does each console compare to the others in terms of performance?
Nintendo Switch
There’s an elephant in the room when you compare these three consoles that we’ll discuss in a moment – the Nintendo Switch is much less powerful than the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
With a maximum resolution of 720p in hand and 1080p in the dock, something many big games can’t even do on Switch, you can’t game in razor-sharp 4K on Nintendo’s hardware.
However, it also has the great advantage of being portable, which neither of the other two can, especially if you don’t want to play either of them remotely on your phone.
However, the Switch OLED version has a 7-inch screen to play in the hand, and games look absolutely gorgeous, and while the custom Nvidia Tegra X1 platform may be showing its age, Nintendo’s first-party games remain there. great looking at it anyway.
Many of its top games run at 60 FPS thanks to Nintendo’s strict quality control, but even when they’re at 30 FPS, you can generally rely on solid performance from Nintendo’s own games. Ports of games from other consoles tend to be more variable.
Playstation 5
Sony’s PS5 translates its massive size into great performance, with 4K gaming now available quite regularly.
That said, you’ll find that most major PS5 games have graphics options that allow you to get your chosen frame rate, as 4K gaming tends to make 60FPS difficult for graphics-intensive titles.
This means you’ll often be gaming in 1440p or even 1080p, but with the variable refresh rate now added and native 1440p rendering available, this can be really great on a good screen.
So the PS5 is capable of incredibly solid performance, and it also stays whisper-quiet without getting too hot during use, which we both appreciate.
Xbox Series X
Things are similar for the Xbox Series X, just with a little extra beef – this is the most powerful console available in rough terms, though in practice cross-platform titles tend to perform similarly compared to the PS5.
That means you can expect rock-solid performance in challenging games again, and 4K resolution is often there as an option if you want it.
Like the PS5, we’re more likely to prioritize a higher frame rate over this raw resolution, but right now the Series X still feels like a high-powered console.
Spell
Much of a console’s prowess comes down to the exclusive games it has on its rivals.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo still has a very enviable selection of first-party games that can’t be played anywhere but on the Switch, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a family console in particular.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey are instant classics, some of the best games ever released, but there are constant additions to further enhance this.
The Fire Emblem series, multiple Pokemon titles, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the titan that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is – the list could go on and on.
The Switch earns top marks for its exclusive titles, not least because there are so many you can’t play anywhere else, including on PC.
Check out our list of the very best Switch games here to learn more.
Playstation 5
The PS5 had a strong launch and the exclusive lineup remains exciting, with games like Demon’s Souls and Returnal really feeling like they showcase what makes the console unique thanks to new haptic controller feedback and incredible visuals.
Many of his best games can honestly be played on the PS4 too, but they’re always at their best on the newer hardware, as showcased by Horizon: Forbidden West, a new beast on the PS5.
If you open the field to take up multi-platform games, there are hordes of magical titles to enjoy, from Elden Ring to Dying Light 2, all of which look as good as they can on the new hardware.
The PS5 may not have as many exclusives as the Switch, but it’s also a few years behind, so we’ll give it time.
We also have a list of the best PS5 games for you to check out here.
Xbox Series X
Xbox probably ranks third among exclusive games thanks to a somewhat slow release planned since the Xbox Series X and S debuted, but it still had some great moments.
Halo Infinite has a blockbuster campaign to enjoy, while Forza Horizon 5 is a stunning open-world racing game, just to name two.
The real feather in the cap on this console comes in the form of Xbox Game Pass, which allows you to try out a wide variety of interesting and sometimes unfamiliar games at a low monthly cost, making it much more affordable for regular gaming.
It’s a genius system that means you can explore the Xbox ecosystem with significantly more ease, and the Series X feels like a potentially smart investment.
Browse our list of the best Xbox Series X titles to learn more.
Media apps and streaming
This is one area where Nintendo takes a beating – the Switch consoles have YouTube, that much we can say. Basically, however, every other major streaming platform is missing, so they really aren’t media hubs in any meaningful sense.
By contrast, the PS5 and Xbox Series X both have access to a wealth of slick and generally responsive apps from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and the BBC, giving you access to both live and on-demand services at will. These services are largely available in 4K and with HDR, making for a great experience overall.
Provided you don’t pick up a digital edition of the PS5, both consoles also have a disc drive that can play 4K Blu-Rays, so if you have a collection of DVDs or Blu-rays, you can watch both on your console, giving you another saves a bit of hardware.
Price
Of course, another important variable when thinking about buying a console is how expensive (and readily available) it is.
The Switch comes in three versions, but to take the top-end option as the main pick, the Switch OLED can be had for £309.99 or $349.99.
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In comparison, the Xbox Series X costs £449.99 or $499.99, while the PlayStation 5 costs £479.99 or $499.99.
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That makes calling the best price a bit complicated, but the Switch OLED is clearly cheaper (and the standard Switch or Switch Lite even more so), which is not to be forgotten.
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However, the price difference between the PS5 and Xbox Series X is quite small or non-existent depending on where you are. The bigger difference is that while the Series X is now fairly easy to find, finding the PS5 in stock can still be a challenge, something that can hold you back a bit.
Conclusion
The verdict between these three consoles is actually similar to the verdict you would have made five years ago, swapping the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in place of their successors, meaning it’s still a tough decision.
If you want family-friendly games and a huge selection of great first-party titles you can’t play anywhere else, we think the Switch OLED is an excellent choice that can’t be beat, with couch co-op also a strong point. However, if you also like to watch movies or want modern and impressive graphics, this is not for you.
If that’s your priority, and you don’t mind spending a little more, we’re definitely leaning towards the PlayStation 5 for its stronger lineup of exclusive games, as most multi-platform titles perform very similarly on both the hardware and hardware. As the Xbox Series X The latter has a strong case in the form of Xbox Game Pass, but we still think Sony’s games trump it, with more to come.
The good news is there’s no obvious wrong answer here – all three consoles are in a really good spot, so you’ll probably be happy whichever you choose.
Written by Max Freeman Mills.
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